US eyes airlines, digital assets as Iran-related targets, Bessent says


FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference to outline further sanctions against Iran, at the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - ⁠U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ⁠on Wednesday said airlines, the maritime ‌industry and digital assets could be possible targets as the Trump administration continues its planned efforts ​to squeeze Iran's economy.

Bessent, ⁠asked about Russian ⁠support for Iran in an interview on ⁠Fox News ‌following a G20 gathering in North Carolina this week, ⁠also warned "everyone" against backing Tehran.

"My message ​to everyone ‌is stay away. We all want ⁠this conflict ​to end, and the fastest way for the conflict to end is for ⁠no one to provide any ​support to this regime," he told "Fox & Friends" one day after Russian President Vladimir ⁠Putin threw his support behind Iran.

"We are having very fulsome talks with anyone supporting the regime," he added.

On Tuesday, ​Bessent said the administration ⁠could also target airline leasing companies and ​that more Iran bank ‌sanctions could come this ​week.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Michelle Nichols )

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